Apparatus for synchronizing stitchings with longitudinally spaced workpieces and with the formation of workpieces



Feb. 12, 1963 H. MORIN 3,077,167

APPARATUS FOR SYNCHRONIZING STITCHINGS WITH LONGITUDINALLY 'SPACEDWORKPIECES AND WITH THE FORMATION OF WORKPIECES' Filed Sept. 3, 1958Sheets-Sheet l Iffrlllllll hzll al INVENTOR. LOUIS H. MORIN ATTORNEYFeb. 12, 1963 L. H. MORIN 3,077,167

ARATUs FOR sYNcHHoNT G sTTTc Gs wTTH LONGTTUDTNALLY woRKPTEcEs AND THTHE MATToN oF woRKPIEcEs PACED Filed Sept. 3, 1958 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 /04INVENTOR. Z4 Louis H. MORIN ATTORNEY Feb. l2, 1963 L. H. MORIN 3,077,167

APPARATUS FOR SYNCHRONIZING STITCHINGS WITH LONGITUDINALLY SPACEDWORKPIECES AND WITH THE FORMATION OF WORKPIECES Filed Sept. 3. 1958 7Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. Lc/uls H. Monm ATTORNEY Feb. l2, 1963 ILZI3,077,167

H. MORIN APP TUS FOR SYNCHRON NG STITCI-IINGS WITH LONGITUDINALLY S EORKPIECES AND WITH THE FORMATION OF WORKPIECE '7 Shee'cset 4 Filed Sept.5, l

niiau l 26 Ul 4 /05 2 /04 /05 92 INVENTOR.

LOUIS H. MOR N ATTORNE Y Feb. 12, 1963 l.. H. MORIN 3,077,167

APPARATUS FOR sy Rom G sTIT NGS wrm LONGITUDINALLY CED woRKPIE 1E Filedsept. 195e CES AND TH THE RMATION OF WORKP 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 0 LOUISMOR|N 9/ ATTORN EY Feb. 12, 1963 L. H. MORIN 3,077,167

. APPARATUS FOR SYNCHRONIZING STITCHINGS WITH LONGITUDINALLY SPACEDWORKPIECES AND WITH THE FORMATION OF WORKPIECES Filed Sept. 3, 1958 '7Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR. LOUIS H. MORIN ATTORNEY Feb. 12, 1963 H. MORIN3,077,167

APPARATUS FOR SYNCHRONIZING STITCHINGS WITH LONGITUDINALLY SPACEDWORKPIECES AND WITH THE FORMATION OF WORKPIECES Filed Sept. 3. 1958 '7Sheets-Sheet 7 VA vw -A V//x//V INVENTOR. LOUIS `H. MORIN ATTQRNEYUnited States Patent Gt p 3,077,167 Patented Feb. 12, 1963 ice APPARATUSFOR SYNCHRONIZING STITCHINGS WITH LONGITUDINALLY S P A C E D WORK-PIECES AND WITH THE FURMATIGN F WORK- PIECES Louis H. Morin, Bronx,N.Y., assigner to Coats & Clark Inc. Filed Sept. 3, 1958, Ser. No.758,706 10 Ciaims. (Cl. 112-2) This invention relates to an improvementin sewing machines and to a coupling with a casting machine, wherebylongitudinally spaced workpieces, such for example as the scoops of aStringer, as well as the cover tape or tapes, can be stitched in acontinuous operation. More particularly, the invention deals with yamethod and struc-l ture, wherein means is provided to synchronize needleVoperation with feed of the workpieces or scoops in order to accuratelyposition the workpieces with respect to the needle.

Still further, the invention deals with a method and apparatus of thecharacter described, wherein means is provided to synchronize theoperation of the sewing machine with the casting machine, so as toprovide a consistent operation of the sewing machine with production ofthe scoops on a separable fastener stringer by the casting machine.

It is a still further object of my invention to provide means forbreaking the synchronized drive between the casting machine and thesewing machine and to speed-up the operation of the sewing machine tomaintain, at all times, a substantially consistent synchronizedoperation in production of the resulting end product.

Thenovel features of the invention will be best understood from thefollowing description, when taken together with the accompanyingdrawing, in which certain embodiments of the invention are disclosedand, in which, the separate parts are designated by suitable referencecharacters in each of the views and, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic outline of part of a standard sewing machineshowing my improved synchonized mechanism arranged thereon, parts of theconstruction being in section and broken away.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional plan substantially on the line 2 2 ofFIG. l, omitting background showing, the gears of FIG. l beingdiagrammatically illustrated in dot-dash lines.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view generally along the line 3 3 of FIG. l andillustrating part of the background showing in perspective.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic perspective view illustrating portions ofworkpieces and indicating the means for synchronizing movement ofworkpieces with respect to the needle of the sewing machine.

FIG. 5 is a section substantially `on the broken line 5-5 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 6 is a section substantially on the broken line 6--6 of FIG. 5 andomitting part of the showing of FIG. 5, with the needle in itslower-most position.

FIG. 7 is anenlarged `diagrammatic View illustrating engagement and feedof workpieces in the synchronized feed thereof.

FIG. 8 is a View, similar to FIG, 7, illustrating anothe operation whichmight prevail in the automatic synchronized feed of the workpieces.

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic perspective View of a modified form ofconstruction which I employ in providing the synchronized feed 'of theworkpiece, parts of the construction being broken away and in section.

FIG. 10 is la partial detail perspective view of the workpiece. engagingplate or member employed in the structure shown in FIG. 9';

FIG. ll is an enlarged sectional detail view, substantially on the line11-11 of FIG. 9, the fabric workpiece parts being illustrated in dottedsection to clearly distinguish the same from the metallic parts.

FIG. l2 is a sectional view through another type of synchronized feedwhich I employ, diagrammatically illustrating its engagement with theworkpiece.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged sectional detail view of a part of theconstruction shown in FIG. l2, illustrating fabric workpieces in dottedsection to distinguish clearly from the metallic parts.

FIG. 14 is `an enlarged sectional view through a pair of finished endproducts, namely separable fastener stringers, in coupled relationshipWithin a slider body and diagrammatically illustrating the stitchingsfor attachment of the cover tapes or ribbons to the scoops of theseparable fastener stringers.

FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic view to illustrate generally the synchonizedcoupling between the sewing machine and the casting machine and transfer`of the workpiece or Stringer from one machine to the other in thesynchronized production of the resulting end product; and

FIG. i6 is a diagrammatic perspective View of a modication of thestructure shown in FIG. 1 of the drawing.

In illustrating one adaptation and use of my invention, I have shownthroughout the accompanying drawings the method tof producing separablefastener stringers, wherein cover tapes or ribbons are stitched to oneor opposed sides of the scoops of the stringers to substantially concealthe scoops and, turning to FIG. 14, here is illustrated a sectionthrough two simil-ar stringers 20, 2W, having scoops 21, 21 cast ormolded upon the beaded edges 22, 22 of the stringers. At 23, 23 areshown upper tapes or ribbons and vat 24, 24' are shown lower tapes orribbons. These ribbons are stitched to the respective stringers bystitchings, as :at 25, 25.

With the construction as shown, for example, in FIGS` 4 and 6 of thedrawing, the stitchings pass through apertures 26 formed in that part ofthe scoops disposed over the bead of the Stringer tape and, in FIG. 4,22 can repre,- sent the bead of the tape 20 and tapes or ribbons 'areindicated at 23 and 24. These same references will be applied to theshowing of the stringers and scoops throughout the several views.

In FIG. 14, I have diagrammatically shown, in section, at 27, 27 theupper and lower walls of a slider used in coupling and uncoupling thestringers 20, 20'.

Now, turning to FIG. 15, here is an extremely diagrammatic showing ofthe synchronized operation between a casting station and a stitching orsewing station in order to clearly portray the method of operation. Inthis figure, 23 represents diagrammatically a casting machine, therelatively movable dies of which are noted. at 29 for forming the scoops21 on the Stringer tape 2t), the tape being fed and guided to the dies29 by suitable means and is supplied from a large container orreceptacle 30.

At 31 is indicated another container or receptacle, into which thestringers pass from the casting stationand, then, are withdrawn and passthrough a long guide tube 32 to a point 33 closely adjacent thestitching mechanism 34 of a modied sewing machine 35 constituting thesewing or stitching station. At 36 is indicated diagrammatically thebelt for driving the machine 35 through a hand operated clutch 37, thefunction of which is to provide a direct ldrive of the machine 35 as andwhen high speed operation is desired or to clutch into a couplinglinkage 38 in operative engagement with the drive of the castingmachine, so as to synchronize operation of the sewing machine 35 withthe production of scoops 21 on the Stringer tape 20. Here, it is to bekept in mind that, in some instances, individual scoops are formed ineach cycle yof operation of the machine; whereas, in other instances,groups of scoops are simultaneously formed on the stringer tape in eachcycle of operation of lthe machine. For example, ten or more scoops canbe formed. In all instances, the speed of operation of the sewingmachine 35 will be consistent with the formation of scoops on theStringer tape.

Turning now to the illustrations in FIGS. 1 to 8, and, particularly,consideration FIG. l, I have shown the modification of or attachment toa typical yhigh speed sewing machine, the needle of which is shown at39. At 40` is illustrated `the lower bobbin and mechanism rotatingshaft, to which I have applied an extension 41, on which is mounted asprocket 42 with a chain drive, partially indicated at 43 for actuatinganother sprocket 44 on an auxiliary drive shaft I45. One end of theshaft 45 is mounted in a self-alining bearing 46 supported in a suitablebracket 47 coupled with an adjacent portion of the frame of the sewingmachine, this frame being apertured, as seen at 48, for reception vofthe shaft 45.

In the mounting of the bracket 47, suitable studs 49, 49 are employed inorder to maintain proper alined position of the bracket 47. The otherend of the shaft 45 is mounted in another similar bearing 50 supportedin a bracket or bearing block 51 supported upon the table of the sewingmachine.

At the end of the shaft 45 is a miter gear 52, which meshes with asimilar gear 53 mounted on a vertical shaft 54. It is ldiagrammaticallynoted that -the gears 52, 53 are of lzl ratio, as are also the sprockets42, 44.

By virtue of this construction, it will be apparent that, 1

in each cycle of operation of the needle 39 or, in other words, rotationof the shaft 40, the shaft 54 will complete one rotary movement.

The shaft 54 is mounted in a bearing 55 in a housing 56 of my attachmentand the bearing 55 is of a thrusttype to resist downward thrust upont-he gear 53. Arranged in the housing 56 are other bearings 57, 57', 57,the shaft 54 being disposed in the bearing 57.

Arranged in the bearings 57', 57" are studs 58, 58 integral with gears59 and 60, respectively. The gear 59 constitutes an idler positionedbetween the gear 60 and a gear 61 `on the shaft 54. These gears areillustrated in dot-dash lines in FIG. 2 of the drawing.

By virtue of the gearing employed, it will appear that the gears 60, 61are rotated in one common direction and consistent with :rotation of theshaft 46, so as to provide, as will later appear, the desired feedmotion to the feed of the Stringer tape, consistent with the stitchingoperation.

Considering FIG. 1 of the drawing, it will appear that the gear 60 hasan integral eccentric stud 62 and the gear 61 has a correspondingeccentric stud 63. These studs are shown in section in FIG. 2 of thedrawing.

Considering FIG. 2 of the drawing, it will appear that the eccentrics 62and 63 operate in shoes 64 and 65, respectively, shown in section inFIG. 2 for clear illustration and these shoes operate in apertures 66and 67 of a workpiece feed slide or member 68. The apertures 66 and 67have, at the forward end of the slide, clearance spaces, as at 66', 67'for movement of the shoes 64 and 65 for operation of the slide 68. At 69is shown a stud at the inner contracted end of the slide, with which iscoupled a spring 70, the other end of which is coupled with a bracket 71fixed to the bearing block 51, as noted in FIG. l of the drawing. Thisspring serves to urge the slide 68 against the walls 64 and 65 `of theshoes 64, 65.

Considering FIGS. l, 2 and 4, it will appear that the housing 56 isrecessed on its lower surface, as indicated at 72, for reception of theslide 68, the housing including a bottom plate 56', clearly noted inFIG. 4 of the drawing, and four screws 73 are employed operating inelongated slots 74 in the housing 56 and plate 56 for adjustable supportof the housing on the baseplate of the machine 35.

Now considering FIG. 2 of the drawing, it will appear that, when theslide 68 is at its extreme righthand position,

as shown in said figure, a clearance still prevails between the side ofthe slide and the wall of the housing 56, as indicated at 75. It willalso be apparent that, when the slide 68 moves `to the left, a similarclearance will prevail between the slide and the wall 75 of the housing56.

'In the cycle of operation of the slide 68, any point on the slide willdescribe a complete circular motion and, in FIGS. 7 and 8, thesecircular motions are diagrammatically illustrated by the dot-dash lines76 in FIG. 7 and the similar line 76' in FIG. 8.

Adjustably xed to what can be termed the forward end of the slide 68 isa workpiece actuating finger or element 77, adjustment being through themedium of screws 78 operating in elongated apertures 79, as clearlynoted in FIG. 4 of the drawing. The element 77 has, at its forward end,a plurality of rounded ngers 86, which are adapted to enter spacesbetween the scoops 21, as clearly noted in FIG. 4 and alsodiagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawing.

Considering the diagrammatic showing of FIG. 3 of the drawing, here isillustrated the workpiece feed bar 81 of the sewing machine, which iscoupled with a rocker shaft 82 through the link S3. The shaft 82 isactuated by an eccentrically operated rod 84 from the shaft 40. Thisoperation is not shown, as it is standard equipment of the sewingmachine. The rod 84 has a yoke end 85, in which a shoe or box 86 isslidably mounted, the latter having a link coupling with the shaft 82,as seen at 87.

Also supported in the yoke 85 is a spring 88 which normally urges thebox 86 in engagement with the surface 89 of the yoke. This constructionprovides the forward and reverse feed of the feed bar 81, the forwardfeed being in the direction of the arrow 90 of FIG. 3.

Supported upon the bar 81 are a pair of feed dogs 91, 91 operating inelongated slots in a plate 92 secured to the bed or table of the sewingmachine. The bar 81 is also moved upwardly and downwardly in withdrawingthe dogs 91, 91 from the apertures of the plate 92 in the backwardmovement of the bar 81, in other words, in a direction opposed to thearrow 9). For this purpose, the usual oscillating shaft 93 is employedat the opposed side of the machine and actuated again by an eccentric onthe shaft 40, not shown, the eccentric actuating a rod 94 pivoted to alever 95 on the shaft 93 and also on this shaft is another lever 96linked, as seen at 97, to the other end of the feed bar 81, thisconstruction providing the upward and downward movement of the bar whilesaid bar is fed forwardly and backwardly, as with other machines of thistype and kind.

At this time, attention is directed to the fact that the sectional viewthrough the feed bar 81 and the dogs 91, 91 is clearly shown in FIG. 5of the drawing.

In FIGS. 5 and 6, the lower portion of the standard spring-loadedpresser foot of the sewing machine is illustrated at 98, the support forthe foot being indicated, in part, at 99.

The foot is modified to form a channel 100 of the irregular contourshown in FIG. 5 of the drawing, namely to receive a part of the scoops,as well as the tape or ribbon 23. The presser foot 98 has, at one sidethereof, a flange 101 shown in section in FIG. 5 and also indicated inFIG. 6 for abutting the inner mounting end portion of the scoops.

Considering FIG. 5 of the drawing, it will appear that the plate 92 is aspecial throat plate and this plate has apertures for reception of thefeed dogs 91, 91' and also is grooved, as seen at 102, to receive thescoops of the Stringer.

The plate 92 also has a long channel or recess 103 for reception of thelower tape or ribbon 24, as clearly noted in FIG. 6 of the drawing. Theelongated aperture, in which the dog 91 operates, is diagrammaticallyillustrated at 104 in FIG. 6 of the drawing. The plate 92 also. includesan aperture 105 for admission of the tape or ribbon 24 and, as will benoted in FIG. 6, a similar aperture 106 is provided in the presser foot98. The presser foot also includes an aperture 107 for reception of theneedle 39.

In FIG. 6, the needle is shown diagrammatically in its position passingthrough one of the apertures 26 of one of the scoops 21 of the Stringer20. It will be understood, in this connection, that the apertures 26 aresuiiiciently large for passage of the needle and the thread through theaperture in the stitching operation, the showing of FIG. 6 and otherfigures being diagrammatic in this respect.

At this time, it might be well to mention that, in normal operation, thefeed dogs rise and engage the Stringer in feeding the same forwardly,which would `be inthe direction of the arrow 9@ in FIG. 3, or in thedirection of the arrow 96 of FIG. 6. However, if for any reason, theworkpiece, namely the Stringer, is held from moving in the forwarddirection, then the spring 88 will yield until such time as the feed dogis moved downwardly, thus releasing the gripping pressure on theworkpiece.

The box 86 will then snap back, so as to contact the surface 89 and,thus, be in its correct starting position, ready for the next cycle ofoperation. This is an irnportant function of the apparatus, as willappear from a later description.

In the above described operation of the workpiece, namely the Stringertogether with the tapes or ribbons, the operation of the element 77,with the fingers 80 thereon, is so arranged and timed that the ngers 8i)enter the spaces between the scoops, as noted in FIG. 4, so that, whenthe plate l68 scribes its circular orbit, the fingers 80 are movedforwardly into engagement with the scoops and in the direction of thefeed of the tape by the dogs 91, 91 at approximately the same speed asthe tape is fed by the dogs. The term approximately is used in lieu ofthe fact that it is quite apparent that no matter how accurately thetape is fed by the dogs 91, 91', there is likely to prevail anaccumulation of feed or a decrease of feed. Eif there should be adecrease of the feed, itis quite obvious that the needle 39 will notaline with the aperture 26 in the scoop. 'It is `apparent that thisalinement and registration must be maintained. This is overcome by thepositive feed of the scoops with respect to the needle, so that eachscoop is fed for accurately positioning the aperture 26 beneath theneedle, consistent with the stitching operation of the needle inoperation of the machine.

In actual practice, I purposely set the movement of the workpieceforwardly slightly in excess of the pitch spacing between the scoops,this pitch being controlled by the eccentrica 62, 63; thus the feedfingers 80 definitely control the true movement that the workpiece orStringer moves forwardly for precisely one scoop so that the needle 39will be in direct alinement with the aperture-26 of the scoop.

inasmuch as the movement of the forward feed of the feed dogs 91, 92 haspurposely been made in excess, it means that the shoe 86, FIG. 3, willyield under the action of the spring 8S, until such time as the needlehas pierced the scoop hole 25, thus anchoring or xing the workpiece orStringer by virtue of the stitching operation. i

Then, the feed dogs 91, 9i', through the mechanism previously described,drop down away from the workpiece, `allowing the feed bar to neutralizeitself. By the time that the feed dogs again come into operativeposition engaging the workpiece, the feed lingers 80 are out ofengagement with the workpiece. It can be seen, therefore, that aconstant compensation and synchronization takes place during each cycleof operation` of the sewing machine, with the result that the needle 39is always synchronized with the holes 26 in successive scoops.

The foregoing operation is further clarified in the lshowing in FIGS. 7and 8 of the drawing. Considering FIG. 7, it will appear that thefingers 80 are able lto enter the space between the scoops 21. In thecircular rotation of the element 77 in the arc 76 or 76 of FIG. 8, thesearcs of motion are exactly equal to the pitch between the apertures ofthe scoops, thus providing the definite feed of the scoops, aspreviously described. Part of this movement of the fingers 80 .isindicated in dot-dash lines in FIG. 7 of the drawing. This feed of theStringer takes place after the stitching `operation has been performed.

By providing the two feed dogs 91, 91', not only the Stringer 20, butthe lower tape or ribbon 24, are positively fed in the operation of saiddogs and this will be apparent from a consideration of FIG. 5 of thedrawing.

By employing the spring 70 on the slide 68, if a splice or otherjuncture in the tape should prevail which should result in -a widespacing between end scoops and this would result in an unsynchronizedspacing between the widely spaced scoops, the stitching operation wouldcontinue, as well as the normal operation of the slide 68, until suchtime as the fingers 86 would again engage the scoops for the positivesynchronized feed thereof. This might result in the fingers 80 actuallystriking the scoops 21, as is noted in FIG. 8 of the drawing.

In this operation, the spring 76 will yield and prevent the feed fingersfrom forcibly striking the scoops. However, the fingers 8f) will proceedalong their normal arc, as at 76', and after passing the outer surfacesof the scoops, as noted in FIG. 8, will then drop into the space betweenthe scoops, as indicated in dot-dash lines in FIG. 8, for the forwardfeed of the scoops for proper registration with the needle.

In the foregoing operation, it will also be apparent that the feed dogs91, 91 will have been yieldably activated against the action of thespring 88, so that, when the first scoop at the spacing referred toabove reaches the needle, this scoop `will be synchronized and theoperation will continue, as before. In other words, any slightvariations that may prevail during the cycle of operations may becompensated for in ya similar manner, the drastic variation beingdiagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 8 of the drawing.

It will be apparent that, in some cases, stitchings can take placebetween the scoops rather than through apertures in the scoops. In thisevent, the synchronized operation would be the same, as the stitchingsare diagrammatically illustrated in the several views. In other words,considering FIG. 6 of the drawing, it will appear that the needle 39could just as well pass between the scoops, as going through theapertures in the scoops, as is diagrammatically shown.

It will be apparent that with different types and kinds of Workpieces itwill be necessary for complete adjustment of the unit or attachmenttoward and from the workpiece and this is accomplished by the provision`of the elongated aperture 74, in which the screws 73 operate.

In some instances, it would be desirable to provide the synchronizedfeed of the scoops of -a Stringer by engagement with the mounting endportion of the scoops, rather than the` coupling ends thereof, as notedin the earlier figures, particularly if engagement with the coupling endportions would be undesirable for any reason. To accomplish this result,I have diagrammatically shown in FIG. 9 of the drawing, amodification-of the attachment or unit, together with a large partialsection, substantially on the line 11-1 of FIG. 9, to more clearlyillustrate engagement with the mounting end portions of the scoops.

In FIG. 9 of the drawing, 45 represents a shaft, similar to the shaft45, however, with the bevelled gear 5,2 thereof mounted to provide areverse drive to the gear 53', so as to move the workpiece actuatingfinger or element 77 toward and `from the mounting end portion `21" ofscoops, similar in all respects to the scoop 21. For

7 this reason, like references are used in designating the scoop 21together with the Stringer tape 20 in FIG. 11 of the drawing.

In FIG. 11, 24 shows the bottom tape; whereas, the upper tape 23 iSindicated in dotted lines, as this tape is fed down through the presserfoot 98', generally similar to the feed, as illustrated in FIG. 6 of thedrawing.

At this time, it might be well to point out that the presser foot 98'differs from the presser foot 98 in that the flange 101 engages thecoupling end portion of the scoop, rather than the mounting end portion,as noted in FIG. of the drawing. In both instances, the flanges maintainthe alinement of the scoops and back-up the same in the engagement ofthe fingers 80, 80 with the scoops.

The lingers 80 of the element 77 are formed on the lower Surface of theforward end of the element 77, as clearly noted in FIG. 10 of thedrawing.

The recesses 108, between the fingers 80, receive the mounting endportions 21 of the scoops, as will be apparent.

The housing 56' of the attachment shown in FIG. 9 is generally similarto the housing 56 and has the two eccentrics therein for actuating theslide 68', on the forward end of which is adjusta-bly mounted a yoke109, in connection with which the element 77' is adjustably mounted, asseen at 110. FiXed to the yoke 109 is an upstanding post 111, with whichis coupled a spring 112, the other end of which is fixed to a post 113on the housing 56', the spring 112 normally urging the slide 68 or aroller 114 supported upon its inner end in engagement with an adjustablestop plate 115, which limits movement of the fingers 80 in the directionof the scoops and also guides the element 77' in substantially astraight line in the feed stroke of the element in advancing theworkpiece to bring the next successive scoop of the Stringer inalinement with the needle, which is diagrammatically illustrated at 39in FIG. 9 of the drawing.

In other words, with the construction shown in FIG. 9 of the drawing,the `function and operation of the element 77 is precisely the same asthe element 77, with the exception that it engages the workpiece in anopposed direction from that of the element 77.

In FIG. 11 of the drawing, the feed dogs 91, 91, similar in all respectsto the dogs Shown in FIG. 5, are employed and, for this reason, likereferences will represent like parts. In this connection, it is believedthat no further detail description of the structure shown in FIG. 9 isnecessary, as it will be understood that the structure is generallysimilar to the structure shown in FIG. 1 of the drawing.

In FIG. 12 of the drawing, I have diagrammatically illustrated a furthermodification with an enlarged sectional showing of part of the structurein FIG. 13 of the drawing. In other words, in the showing of FIGS. 9, 10and 11, pant `of the front end of the machine is obstructed by thepositioning Vof the yoke 109 and the element 77. To overcome this, Ihave arranged a modified form of unit, so that the scoop engagingfingers 116 of an element 117 will be disposed angularly to and engagethe mounting end portion 21" of the scoop 21 which, in this in- Stance,will have the tape of a Stringer disposed on the inner side of themachine, rather than on the outer side thereof or, in other words,reverse to the Showing in FIG. 1-1. This would necessitate alsoreversing the position of the dogs 91, 91 so as to engage the lower tapeor ribbon 24 and the Stringer 20, which iS now in the reverse position.

Turning now to FIG. 12 of the drawing, it will appear that the shaft118, generally similar to the shaft 45, has a mounting 119, generallysimilar to the mounting at 51 and a bevelled gear 120, meshing with asimilar gear 121 on a shaft 122. v

The shaft 122, in this construction, is located substantially centrallyof a housing 123 and includes the idler gear 124 meshing with gears 125and 126 yintegral with studs 127 and 128, having bearing supports in thehousing 123.

At 129 and 130 are Shown central drives for a slide 131, similar in al1respects to the drives of the slide 68. The element 117 is adjustablysupported on the forward end of the slide 131. A sleeve 132 is fixed tothe inner end of the slide 131 and operates on a rod 133, having aSwinging mounting on a pin 134 in the housing 123, the sleeve 132`operating against a spring 135 on the rod 133 in control of the slide131, similar to the spring 70.

The drive for the shaft 118 is generally similar to that shown in FIG. land is generally identified by the reference character `136 in FIG. 12.

The presser foot has been omitted from the showing in FIG. 12, but partof .the `foot is shown at 137 in FIG. 13 of the drawing. Here again, thefoot has the flange 138 to engage the coupling end portion of the scoopand to function similarly to the flange 101. Here again, the upper tapeor ribbon will be fed into position, Similar to the feed of the tape, asnoted in FIG. 6 of the drawing. The needle is indicated in FIGS. 12 and13 at 139.

With the modified Showing of FIG. l2, it is possible to provide theproper angular mounting of the slide 131, as well as the actuatingelement 117 and the grooved or recessed portions 140, similar to therecesses 108, receive and house corner portions of the scoops inpositive 4feed of the Scoops for synchronized positioning thereof withrespect to the operation of the needle 139, either to pass the needlethrough apertures in the scoops or to provide Stitchings betweenadjacent scoops, whichever principle of attachment is desired. From thisstandpoint, the showing in FIG. 13 could ybe performed of the lattertype of Stitching, in that there is no in-dication of apertures in thescoop shown in FIG. 13.

With some types of workpieces, Such for example as separable fastenerstringers, stretchy or frail Stringer tapes are employed. This type oftape Structure -is likely to result in bringing scoops out ofregistration with the needle in the feed through the feed dogs employed.

In FIG. 16 o-f the drawing, I have Shown diagrammatcally a slightmodification to the structure shown in FIG. 1 in order to compensate forthe existence of this difliculty and this modification simply provides,on the Shaft 45, a cam 141 which, in each cycle of loperation of themachine, actuates a roller 142 at one end of a lever 143 tocorrespondingly rotate a shaft 144, arranged in suitable spaced bearings145. The shaft 144 carries, at its forward end, a forked lever 146 whichoperates in conjunction with a heel 147 on a presser foot, part of whichis indicated at 148, the foot being otherwise generally similar to thefoot 9S employed in conjunction with the lstructure shown in the earlierfigures.

With this modication, at a predetermined point in the cycle ofoperation, the cam 141 will operate to raise the foot 148 Slightly or afew thousandths of an inch, so as to yfree the foot of tape grippingaction. This timing is preferably such as to raise the foot when theneed-le is in `its stitching position. At this particular time, the feeddogs are out of engagement with the Stringer and the Stringer willreturn to its normal non-stretched position, preparatory to the nextfeeding operation.

When Stringer tapes of the more rigid non-stretch structure areemployed, there is no need for the modification to the attachment, asillustrated in FIG. 16 of the drawing. Accordingly, this can be sodevised as to be applied to or removed from the machine or, if on themachine, can be rendered inoperative by simple adjustment of the lever143` by the clamp Screw 143' to, at all times, maintain the roller 142out of engagement with the cam 141, as well as to adjust the lever 146out of engagement with the heel 147.

In a synchronized drive between the casting machine and sewing machine,

Ias herein noted, it will be apparent that, from time to time, thesewing machine will require renewal of thread for the bobbin orotherwise. At such times, the clutch 3'7 is put into neutral positionand the sewing machine stopped, while the casting machine continues tofunction in producing the Stringer tapes with the scoops thereon. Uponrenewal of the thread in the .sewing machine, the clutch 37 can then beoperated to put the sewing machine in a high speed operation, So as tocatch-up with the casting machine and, lthen, at the proper time, theclutch actuated to couple the drive of the machine with the linkage 38,so as to continue in the synchronized operation of both machines.

It will be apparent, from the foregoing, that my irnproved apparatus andmethod is applicable to the produc- Ition of any `type or kind ofproduct, Where workpieces, similar to -the Scoops herein disclosed, areattached at spaced intervals to an elongated tape-like member; afterwhich, the cover, cord, tape or ribbon is stitched to the mounting tape,where the scoops or other members are located thereon `and the stitchingis synchronized with the spacing of said scoops ormembers on themounting tape.

For purposes of description, the tape 20, including its beaded edge 22,may be considered a supporting member for supporting the scoop orworkpieces 2l `at one edge thereof. Further, the synchronized driveunit, which is in operative engagement with the drive of the machine,may be said to comprise lan attachment to the sewing machine forsynchronizing the feed of the workpieces with operation of the needle ofthe machine. Still further, it may be said that the casting machineforms a casting station, the sewing machine forms a stitching stationand 33 the synchronized drive between these stations.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

l. ln a machine for sewing a series of workpieces in equally spacedrelationship to and along the edge portion lof a supporting member, thecombination comprising means for operating a needle 'through recurrentsewing cycles, means for feeding said supporting member with saidworkpieces attached thereto step by step in one direction through theeld of action of [the needle in synchronism with the cycles of operationof the needle operating means, andmeans :separate from said feedingmeans and operable in synchronism with said needle operating meansthrough recurrent cycles for shifting said workpieces with saidsupporting member adjustably along said direction to locate theworkpieces in proper position to be sewn to the supporting member, saidfeeding means including a feed member, a drive, and a transmissionbetween said drive and said feed member for moving said feed membercyclically `along said direction for feeding action, said transmissionincluding a yieldable connection for permitting said feed member to beheld against feeding movement along said direction without interrupting`the operation of said drive and without disturbing the frequency ofoperation of said feeding means to permit said workpiece shifting meansto operate.

2. In a sewing machine, the combination as described in claim l, whereinthe feed member constitutes a feed dog, the transmission comprises arocker shaft for operating said feed dog, a connecting rod operated fromthe drive `and having a yoke end, a shoe slidably mounted in said yokeend and having la link coupling with said rocker shaft, and a springnormally urging the shoe in engagement with one end of the yoke andserving to provide said yieldable connection in the transmission to saidfeed dog.

3. in a sewing machine, means for synchronizing the feed of workpiecesat an edge portion of a supporting member with the operation of theneedle, comprising a workpiece locating member having a series offingers rigidly Secured together and spaced to fit between successiveworkpieces in 'one position of said member and to locate thereby theworkpieces in proper position to l0 be sewed las they successively reachthe field-of action of the needle, and means for driving said membercyclically in synchronism with the operation of .the needle first intoworkpiece locating position in relation to the needle 'and then out ofsaid position during each cycle.

4. In a sewing machine, means for synchronizing the feed -of slidefastener workpieces at an edge portion of a Stringer with the operationof the needle, comprising a workpiece locating member in front of thecoupling ends of the workpieces having a series of fingers rigidlysecured together and positioned to enter from the coupling ends of 'theworkpieces inbetween successive workpieces in one position of saidmember to locate the workpieces in proper position to be sewed to theStringer as the workpieces successively reach the field of action of theneedle, and means for ydriving said member cyclically in synchronismwith the operation of the needle rst into workpiece locating position inrelation to the field of action of the needle and then out of saidposition during each cycle.

5. In a Sewing machine, means for synchronizing the feed of slidefastener workpieces at an edge portion of a Stringer with the operationof the needle, comprising a workpiece locating member in the rear of themounting ends of the workpieces having a Series of fingers rigidlysecured ltogether and positioned to enter from the mounting ends of theworkpieces inbetween successive workpieces in one position of saidmember to locate the workpieces in proper position to be sewed to theStringer as the workpieces reach the field of action of the needle, andmeans for driving Said member cyclically in synchronism with theoperation of the needle, first into workpiece locating position inrelation to the needle and then out of said position during each cycle.

6. -ln a sewing machine, the combination as described in claim 5,wherein said workpiece locating member including its fingers is disposedat an angle lto the plane of the Stringer.

7. In a machine for sewing a series of slide fastener workpiecesattached to and extending along the edge portion of a Stringer inequally spaced relationship and for Sewing to said Stringer a tapeextending along and overlapping said series, comprising means foroperating a needle through recurrent sewing cycles, means for guidingthe tape along the edge portion of the Stringer in overlapping relationto the workpieces on the stringer, a pair of feed dogs, means operablein synchronism with the cycles of operation of the needle for cyclicallymoving said feed dogs into `and out of feed engagement with the Stringerand the tape respectively, and also cyclicfally in a direction towardsthe field of action of the needle to feed intermittently the Stringerand the tape together towards the field of action of the needle, andmeans operable in synchronism with Said needle operating means forcontrolling the positions of said workpieces in relation to the needleat the beginning of each sewing cycle to assure proper positioning ofthe workpieces for Sewing, and means for cyclically moving said feeddogs along said direction comprising a drive, and a transmission betweensaid drive and Said feed dogs for moving said feed dogs along saiddirection including a yieldable connection for permitting said feed dogsto be held against feeding movements along said direction withoutinterrupting the operation of said drive and without disturbing thefrequency of operation of S-aid dog moving means to permit saidcontrolling means to operate.

8. In a machine for sewing a Series of Slide fastener workpieces to andalong the edge portion of a Stringer in equally spaced relationshiptherealong, the combination comprising means for operating Ia needlethrough recurrent sewing cycles, means for feeding said Stringer withSaid workpieces attached thereto step by step in one direction throughthe field of action of the needle in synchronism with the cycles ofoperation of the needle operating means, a workpiece locating memberhaving a series of fingers adapted to tit between successive Workpiecesin one position of said member -to locate the workpieces in properposition to be sewed as they successively reach the eld of `action tof`the needle, and

means for driving said member cyclically in synchronisrn with theoperation of the needle irst into workpiece locating position inrelation to the needle and then out of said position during each cycle,said member driving means imparting to .the member `during each cyclewhile in operative engagement with the workpieces a movement in 'thedirection of feed of the Stringer yat the same time said feeding meansis operating through the feed part of its cycle, but at ya slower speedto restrain said Stringer, said feeding means comprising `a dnive and `atransmission from said drive having a springpressed yield'ableconnection permitting the stxinger under the restraining influence ofsaid member to resist the full feeding impulse of said feeding means.

9. In an apparatus for making slide fasteners, a casting machine forcasting slide fastener workpieces at spaced intervals along the edge ofa Stringer, land a sewing machine for stitching said workpieces `to saidStringer, comprising means for operating -a needle through recurrentsewing cycles, means for feeding said Stringer with said workpiecesattached thereto step by step in one direction through the field yofaction of the needle in synchronism with the cycles of operation of theneedle operati-ng means, means separate from said feeding means andoperable in synchronism with said needle -operating means throughrecurrent cycles for llocating the workpieces along the direction offeed! in proper position to be sewn to the `stringer, said feeding meansincluding a feed member, a drive, and a -transmission between said driveand said feed member for moving said feed member cyclically along saiddirection for feeding action, said transmission including 1a yieldableconnection for permitting said feed member to -be held against feedingmovement along said direction without interrupting the operation of saiddrive and Without disturbing the frequency of operation of said feedingmeans to permit s-aid locating means to operate and means connectingsaid casting machine and said sewing machine for operation insynchronism and including a clutch for breaking the drive between saidmachines, whereby said sewing machine may be opl erated independently.of said casting machine.

10. In a machine for sewing a series of slide fastener workpieces toVand Ialong the edge portion' of a Stringer in equally spacedrelationship therealong, `the combination comprising means for operatinga needle 'through recurrent sewing cycles, means for feeding saidStringer with said workpieces attached thereto step Vby step in onedirection through the field of `action of the needle in synchronism withthe cycles of operation of the needle operating means, a workpiecelocating member in the form of a slide having aiinger adapted cyclicallyto extend inbetween successive workpieces to locate the workpieces inproper position 'to be sewn to the Stringer by the needle when saidworkpieces successively reach the sewing eld of the needle, and meansfor positively driving said slide in a circular path cyclioally into andout of workpiece locating position independently of the position Vof theStringer and in synchronism with said needle operating means, rst intoworkpiece locating position between successive 4workpieces `and then outof said position during each cycle.

References Cited in the lile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS768,328 Hadley Aug. 23, 1904 1,242,403 Weis Oct. 9, 1917 1,605,913 BatesNov. 9, 1926 1,878,201 Sundbrack Sept. 20, 1932 1,942,903 Roseman Jan.9, 1934 2,026,904 Morin Jan. 7, 1936 2,245,031 Gottlieb June 10, 19412,374,529 Everitt Apr. 24, 1945 2,381,977 Mann Aug. 14, 1945 2,395,869Hendley Mar. 5, 1946 2,444,706 Loew July 6, 1948 2,542,764 Gibbons Feb.20, 1951 2,682,240 Knaus et al. lune 29, 1954 2,771,848 Knaus et al.Nov. 27, 1956 2,776,635 Blumenkrantz J-an. 6, 1957 2,822,77-0 SchwartzFeb. 11, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 770,300 Great Britain Mar. 20, 1957

1. IN A MACHINE FOR SEWING A SERIES OF WORKPIECES IN EQUALLY SPACEDRELATIONSHIP TO AND ALONG THE EDGE PORTION OF A SUPPORTING MEMBER, THECOMBINATION COMPRISING MEANS FOR OPERATING A NEEDLE THROUGH RECURRENTSEWING CYCLES, MEANS FOR FEEDING SAID SUPPORTING MEMBER WITH SAIDWORKPIECES ATTACHED THERETO STEP BY STEP IN ONE DIRECTION THROUGH THEFIELD OF ACTION OF THE NEEDLE IN SYNCHRONISM WITH THE CYCLES OFOPERATION OF THE NEEDLE OPERATING MEANS, AND MEANS SEPARATE FROM SAIDFEEDING MEANS AND OPERABLE IN SYNCHRONISM WITH SAID NEEDLE OPERATINGMEANS THROUGH RECURRENT CYCLES FOR SHIFTING SAID WORKPIECES WITH SAIDSUPPORTING MEMBER ADJUSTABLY ALONG SAID DIRECTION TO LOCATE THEWORKPIECES IN PROPER POSITION TO BE SEWN TO THE SUPPORTING MEMBER, SAIDFEEDING MEANS INCLUDING A FEED MEMBER, A DRIVE, AND A TRANSMISSIONBETWEEN SAID DRIVE AND SAID FEED MEMBER FOR MOVING SAID FEED MEMBERCYCLICALLY ALONG SAID DIRECTION FOR FEEDING ACTION, SAID TRANSMISSIONINCLUDING A YIELDABLE CONNECTION FOR PERMITTING SAID FEED MEMBER TO BEHELD AGAINST FEEDING MOVEMENT ALONG SAID DIRECTION WITHOUT INTERRUPTINGTHE OPERATION OF SAID DRIVE AND WITHOUT DISTURBING THE FREQUENCY OFOPERATION OF SAID FEEDING MEANS TO PERMIT SAID WORKPIECE SHIFTING MEANSTO OPERATE.